What Are You Doing, God?

Matthew 11:1-18Is it just me or does the Bible seem confusing at times?In this passage we read that John the Baptist, who was in prison, sent his disciples to ask Jesus if he is the Messiah.  However, just a few chapters earlier, John the Baptist is the one who baptized Jesus, prophesied about Jesus being the Messiah, and was there when God said, “This is my Son, whom I love; in Him I am well pleased.” (Matt 3)

This has always left me scratching my head a little.  After seeing all this, why didn’t John the Baptist know who Jesus was?  It could be that John thought, as every other Jew of this time, that Jesus was going to come as King to conquer the Roman government and reestablish the nation of Israel.

So, when John was imprisoned by Herod he was probably thinking, “No big deal. The Messiah’s here.  I’ll be out of here in no time.”  Then the days turned into weeks, into months.  As he sat in prison, he waited.  Then waited.  Then waited!  Reports had gotten back to John of the miracles Jesus was performing.  So, he sends his disciples to ask the question…are you really the Messiah or should we look for someone else?

This should have a familiar ring to it.  You and I are like this.  Opportunities don’t work out as planned.  Crisis strikes.  The big account is lost.  Prayers go “unheard”.  Promises are delayed.  We pray for healing, but we’re still sick.  We are left to doubt whether God really spoke to us — whether His promises will come true.

Jesus’ answer to John’s disciples is the key. Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor.”

Jesus is saying, “It may not look the way you think it should; things may not be happening just as you thought, but my results speak for themselves.  You thought I was coming for immediate results and redemption, but my plan is for redemption for eternity.”

God’s ways are mysterious.  There will be times when we are unsure what to think.  However, there is one constant in all things: when you don’t understand His ways, you can always trust His heart!